Jamie smiled to himself as he watched the boy scouts attempt to start a fire. It was his day off, but he tagged along with Danny after the Boy Scout leader called them to check out the woods after hearing a gun shot.
He sat on a log waiting to hear back from his brother, who was currently checking the woods for any suspicious activity. He heard the rustling of leaves and turned to see Danny walking out of the woods with two men, one of which had his leg wrapped up tight with gauze.
"Saw nothing that anyone should be concerned about." Danny said. "However, these men have been hiking in the woods and got lost. Larry here also tripped over a tree stump and hurt his leg."
The man, Larry, smiled.
"Yeah, my wife warned me about hiking with this idiot."
He motioned to the other man.
"I am just glad this kind officer was able to find us and bring us back to this camp."
The other man grumbled.
The Boy Scout leader laughed,
"It can be easy to get lost out here. I am just glad you two men are safe. That's what is important here!"
Larry grinned,
"Oh, we're not safe yet."
Jamie stood up,
"And that means?"
Larry calmly pulled out a gun from his jacket.
"I need everyone to remain calm. If anyone moves..I shoot. Got it?"
Jamie and Danny shot each other a look and then nodded at Larry.
"Good, now Officer, I need for you to put your gun on the ground and let my friend Gregg get it. And the leader of this little scout group; give me a map of the woods. I don't feel like getting lost again. Also, anyone with a cell phone needs to throw it in that fire pit."
Everyone did what they were told, and Larry smiled.
"There is something important that I need to retrieve from these woods and none of you are going to stop me. Gregg, have everyone go into that supply shed over there and make sure they stay there. I'll be back soon."
Jamie panicked. Danny looked like he was going to obey but what if the men decided to kill them all for knowing too much? There were twelve kids among the group. How would their poor parents feel?
He took a step towards Larry, "Listen sir, you got what you want so please let us-"
Larry quickly brought up his gun and shot Jamie in the stomach.
He fell to the ground gasping, and kids around him screamed.
"JAMIE!" Danny yelled, and ran towards his brother.
Larry took in a deep breath.
"See? Disobey and there will be punishment."
Danny kneeled down beside Jamie and checked out the wound. He didn't like what he saw.
"Listen guys, you do what you want, but we got to get my brother to the hospital. He is going to die."
Gregg spoke up this time,
"No, we know what you'll do if we let you leave. Now get in the shed or we shoot the kids one by one."
Danny frowned but nodded. He helped Jamie to his feet and together they walked towards the shed along with the other people. All color was completely gone from Jamie's face and his was heavy with pain. He knew they had to get out of here….fast.